Patriots wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (19) dives over the goal line as he is tackled by Houston Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) for a touchdown during the second half.

Patriots wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (19) dives over the goal line as he is tackled by Houston Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) for a touchdown during the second half.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) forces a fumble by New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead (39) near the goal line during fourth quarter.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) forces a fumble by New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead (39) near the goal line during fourth quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovers a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown as Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) looks on during the fourth quarter.

Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovers a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown as Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) looks on during the fourth quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) reacts after Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovered a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown.

Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) reacts after Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovered a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing sits on the sideline during fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing sits on the sideline during fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster (23) walks off the field following a loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) walks off the field following a loss to the New England Patriots.

New England Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (47) celebrates with Brandon Lloyd as Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) looks on after Lloyd scored on a touchdown pass during the first quarter. less

New England Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (47) celebrates with Brandon Lloyd as Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) looks on after Lloyd scored on a touchdown pass during the first ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets off a pass as Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure during the second quarter.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets off a pass as Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure during the second quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) confers with head coach Gary Kubiak during the second quarter.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) confers with head coach Gary Kubiak during the second quarter.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs against the New England Patriots defense during the first quarter.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs against the New England Patriots defense during the first quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans owner Bob McNair, left, waves as he walks of the field with his wife, Janice.

Texans owner Bob McNair, left, waves as he walks of the field with his wife, Janice.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans fans cheer as their team warms up before the game.

Houston Texans fans cheer as their team warms up before the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, left, works with cornerback Johnathan Joseph before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Texans defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, left, works with cornerback Johnathan Joseph before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus walks along the back of the end zone as rain falls before the Texans game against the New England Patriots in a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium on Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. less

Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus walks along the back of the end zone as rain falls before the Texans game against the New England Patriots in a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium on ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans general manager Rick Smith watches warm ups before a the game.

Texans general manager Rick Smith watches warm ups before a the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fans bundle up before the a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium.

Texans fans bundle up before the a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson catches a football during warm-ups before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson catches a football during warm-ups before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The only positive thing to come from the Texans’ pathetic performance at New England is the realization they can still secure home-field advantage with wins in their last three games.

If the Texans don’t play better — and a lot smarter — against Indianapolis and Minnesota than they played in their 42-14 loss to the Patriots, they could be doomed to road games in the playoffs.

At least the Texans are still unbeaten when they allow fewer than 42 points.

Considering how thoroughly they were outplayed and outcoached, the Texans are very fortunate to still be in control of their destiny. And it’s simple: Win out, finish 14-2 and host at least one playoff game at Reliant Stadium and maybe two.

Including a possible rematch with the Patriots.

The Texans (11-2) saw their six-game winning streak end. The Patriots (10-3) have a seven-game winning streak and own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The good news is coach Gary Kubiak won’t make the players turn in their leather jackets.

National TV disaster

I didn’t think the Texans would win, but I did believe they were beyond the kind of embarrassing performance they put on, especially penalties at the worst times and enough missed tackles to make you wonder if it’s become a lost art.

And Matt Schaub and the offense have basically been awful for six consecutive quarters.

The Patriots entered the game allowing a league-high 55 completions of 20 or more yards. They also lost cornerback Aqib Talib with a hip injury. And the Texans still couldn’t do anything about it.

The Patriots have won 21 consecutive games over the last half of the season. The last time they lost was in 2009 at Reliant.

Quarterback Tom Brady, who threw four touchdown passes, and nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who abused the right side of the offensive line, took the Texans to the woodshed for a spanking on national television they won’t soon forget.

Check out some of the mistakes they made that allowed the Patriots to blow them out.

The Patriots’ first touchdown was set up by bad punt coverage that allowed Wes Welker a 31-yard return to the New England 44. The defense had the Patriots stopped at the Houston 34, but rather than fourth down, Brady got a first down because cornerback Brandon Harris was called for holding Welker.

Mistakes aplenty

On first down, Stevan Ridley fumbled. Kareem Jackson had a shot at the recovery but couldn’t make it, and the Patriots had second down at the 7.

Then Brady threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez for a 7-0 lead.

The Texans blew a chance to tie the score when they reached the New England 21. Schaub threw to Kevin Walter in the end zone. Schaub zeroed in on Walter on the crossing route. He never saw Devin McCourty, who intercepted the throw.

On New England’s third touchdown drive, Danieal Manning was called for a questionable 26-yard pass interference penalty on third down. Three plays later, Brady threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Hernandez.

In the first half, the Texans ran out of downs at New England’s 33 when Walter dropped a fourth-down pass and their 38 on another Schaub incompletion.

Overall, it was the kind of game plan the Texans should burn and forget about or they’ll have nightmares about their trip to Gillette Stadium.